The Best Private Schools in Fort Myer, Virginia
Discover 3 exceptional private schools in Fort Myer. Find the perfect educational environment for your child with our comprehensive reviews and ratings.
School Overview
Top-Rated Private Schools
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School
Independent Episcopal School
St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School is a prestigious JK-12 Episcopal school located just across the Potomac River from Fort Myer. The school offers a comprehensive college preparatory program with small class sizes and personalized attention. Notable features include extensive Advanced Placement offerings, championship athletic programs, and outstanding arts facilities. The campus spans 50 acres with modern academic buildings, performing arts centers, and athletic facilities. The school emphasizes character development and community service while maintaining exceptional academic standards, with graduates consistently attending top-tier universities.
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Bishop O'Connell High School
Catholic Diocese of Arlington
Bishop O'Connell High School is a highly-regarded Catholic college preparatory school serving the Northern Virginia area, including military families from Fort Myer. The school offers a rigorous academic program with 24 Advanced Placement courses, extensive STEM opportunities, and competitive athletic programs. With a beautiful 26-acre campus just minutes from Fort Myer, the school features state-of-the-art facilities including modern science labs, performing arts spaces, and athletic complexes. The school maintains a strong tradition of academic excellence with 100% college acceptance rate and significant merit scholarship awards annually.
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Flint Hill School
Independent School
Flint Hill School is a highly respected independent JK-12 school serving families throughout Northern Virginia, including those from Fort Myer. The school features two campuses with state-of-the-art facilities including innovation labs, performing arts centers, and extensive athletic complexes. Flint Hill offers a robust college preparatory curriculum with numerous Advanced Placement courses, innovative STEM programs, and competitive athletics. The school emphasizes experiential learning and character development while maintaining small class sizes and personalized college counseling. Their Upper School campus features modern academic buildings and extensive athletic facilities supporting a comprehensive educational experience.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about private schools in Fort Myer, Virginia
What are the primary private school options available for families living on or near Fort Myer, Virginia, and how do commuting logistics typically work?
Fort Myer is part of the greater Arlington/Alexandria area, placing families within a short drive of several top-tier private schools. The schools you mentioned—Bishop O'Connell High School (Arlington), St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School (Alexandria), and Flint Hill School (Oakton)—are all within a 15-30 minute commute, depending on traffic. Many of these schools provide dedicated bus transportation or contract with private bus services that include stops near military installations like Fort Myer. This is a significant consideration for military families who may not have flexible schedules for drop-off and pick-up. Additionally, the close proximity to Washington D.C. opens up even more prestigious options, though with potentially longer commutes.
How does Virginia's tuition assistance landscape, including potential military benefits, affect the cost of private schools near Fort Myer?
Virginia does not have a statewide voucher or tax-credit scholarship program for K-12 private education, so most assistance comes directly from the schools. However, families stationed at Fort Myer should explore several avenues. First, all the top schools offer robust need-based financial aid. Second, military families may be eligible for the Department of Defense's "My Career Advancement Account" (MyCAA) scholarship for spouse education, which could indirectly help with household budgets. Third, some schools near military bases have experience with the GI Bill® for dependents in certain contexts, though this is more common at the college level. It's crucial to speak directly with the financial aid offices at schools like O'Connell, St. Stephen's & St. Agnes, and Flint Hill, as they often have specific funds or understanding for military families' unique financial situations, including frequent moves.
Given Fort Myer's location in the National Capital Region, what unique academic programs or specializations do local private schools offer that leverage this environment?
Private schools in the Fort Myer area excel at integrating the resources of the Washington D.C. metro area into their curricula. This is a key differentiator. For example, St. Stephen's & St. Agnes School emphasizes ethical leadership and global studies with frequent trips to embassies, think tanks, and government institutions. Bishop O'Connell High School, as a diocesan school, often has programs focused on social justice and service that engage with non-profits and advocacy groups in the capital. Flint Hill School's "Husky Fellows" program and other initiatives connect students with internships and mentors in technology, policy, and the arts throughout the region. These schools regularly use museums, the National Archives, and historical sites as extensions of their classrooms, providing an unparalleled experiential learning component.
What is the typical enrollment timeline and process for competitive private schools near Fort Myer, and how should military families approaching a PCS (Permanent Change of Station) navigate it?
The enrollment process for top Northern Virginia private schools is highly structured and often begins over a year in advance. Key deadlines for applications, standardized testing (like the ISEE or SSAT), and interviews are usually between December and February for admission the following fall. This can be challenging for military families who receive PCS orders on shorter notice. The critical step is to communicate directly and immediately with the admissions offices at schools like Flint Hill or St. Stephen's & St. Agnes. They are accustomed to working with military families from Fort Myer, the Pentagon, and other installations. Many have rolling admissions or can place a student on a special "military waitlist." Providing copies of PCS orders and previous school records is essential. Starting the inquiry process as soon as you have assignment information, even if outside the standard cycle, is the best strategy.
How do the educational environments and outcomes of private schools near Fort Myer compare to the highly-ranked Arlington County Public Schools?
This is a central consideration for families in the Fort Myer area. Arlington Public Schools (APS) are consistently ranked among the best in Virginia and the nation. The choice, therefore, often comes down to educational philosophy and specific needs rather than a simple quality comparison. APS offers exceptional, diverse programs (like the H-B Woodlawn secondary program) at no tuition. Private schools like O'Connell, St. Stephen's, and Flint Hill offer smaller class sizes, more individualized attention, distinct religious or values-based education (where applicable), and often more extensive resources in arts, athletics, and technology. They may also provide more scheduling flexibility and specialized support. For military families, a private school can offer greater continuity if they move within the region but out of Arlington County. The decision typically hinges on whether the specific mission, community, and programs of a private school align with a family's goals, justifying the significant financial investment.